We are headed to Togo in just a few months. Here's a great website on the history and culture of this very small country in the West of Africa. You can find articles on most of the countries of the world here.
Here's an excerpt:
M EDICINE AND H EALTH C ARE
Similar to other underdeveloped, tropical nations, Togo's population is challenged by numerous health problems, including parasitic, intestinal, nutritional, venereal, and respiratory diseases.
Public health problems are exacerbated by inadequate waste disposal, sewerage, drinking water, and food storage.
In the 1990s, life expectancy at birth was fifty-one years, though this is declining steeply with the onset of AIDS. Malaria, commonly referred to as palu, remains the leading cause of illness and death. Other common diseases include schistosomiasis, meningitis, tuberculosis, pneumonia, and HIV/AIDS.
Traditional healing methods and preparations continue to be the most widely used form of health care in Togo.
Houses like these in Tata village house a large number of Togolese citizens.
Every small town has an herbalist, and one market in Lomé specializes in the sale of medicinal herbs. Frequently medical treatments are coupled with visits to the local vodou house or fetish priest.
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